The Press., 1887-07-14
A BACHELORS REWARD.

 the memories of the past came Hooking upon him like ghosts from another land.
 John Steele was a bachelor of forty. He had been born and reared poor boy, in the little town of M---, and never felt a desire to leave it. He had studied law, and plodded along year after year in the dipgy, grimy office, in which we find him now, and had grown rich. He had no personal friends, and lived alone in large, old frame house at the outskirts of the town, with a man servant as cook and gen. eral man-of- -allawork.
 Years and years before, when young man of twenty, poor and aimless, Steele had loved girl whose parents would not less. In his rage he blamed her for this and would listen to no reason, and from that day had hated women and had led solitary life. It was this scene that now held John Steele in his office chair, as the mantle of light gathered over the town.
 "More than twenty years ago" he unused, ''and don't believe have ever spoken to women, except on business, since that day. They say she married a Eno-account wretch after all, who was sunk down to poverty and want. We'll, well, l must not waste time in thinking about such things now. I was only boy then, and did not know what wanted. I must be going" Whereupon he arose, buttoned his coat about him, locked his office and trddged on his homeward journey. Runor had it about town that, although by her parents influence, Katie Drew had mal ried shortly after her refusal of Steele, that she had loved him dearly. This was most likely true, but as twenty years had passed, the matter had faded from the gen. o1o nd fSNr %r sip. .s.r ,s.. 5sfS e. s.
 Steele ate his supper in silence. Will liam, his man-of-all- work, had very good meal prepared; for though Steele was close-fsted he believed in good eating, good clothes and comfortable living.
 "Now, William, " said Steele, when he had finished, Eff you fix me up enough food to do me tomorrow, you may have a holiday. And here Is your money and five dollars to have time with. No hoi- day for me; I don't need any, and don't want any"
 ''Thank you, MT. Steele, fol your good ness," said William. ''But, MT. Steele, don't you never take any little extra pleas ure all? You know used to know you when you was little fellow; and can remember seeing your good mother hold ing you up at the old church so you could see the Christmas tree. And you was a wee little tod then, and you clapped your little hands in ,glee, and your mother would kiss your baby face and talk baby talk to you It don't seem like that was near forty years ago, MT. Steele, but 1t was. s.:+...-. .
 "Confound the fellow" grumbled Steele, as he sat down in his room that night to read. 'sIf | should listen to him he would upset me. don't know what is the mat ter with me this evening anyhow. never felt so queer in my life. l guess l am using too much tobacco of late" .. | He read until bedtime, and was in the act of taking off his boots, when he heard knock at the front door. .......-
 "Wonder who that is," he thought. Something unusual at this place." "What the deuce can that William be doing that he don't go the door ?" said Steele. 'g want to go to bed, and it may be some one that wants me. To borrow money,I guess. Well, unless they have good security, not cent do they get" At this juncture, William opened the door. Steele heard an indistinct conversa- | tion, and then William conducted the wis itor to the kitchen. After some moments
 "Well, what is it ?' '''-.,
 Excuse me, Mir. Steele, but there is a poor woman in the kitchen who needs some help badly. I'm sure she does, for she don't look as a common beggar. She says she has walked through the cold all the way from the last town, and is most dead.''
 "Yes, that is what they all say. Give her something to eat and send her on."
 ''But wish you would come and see her."
 'Bother these beggars," mumbled Steele. "But guess I'llgo down to get rid of her."
 Steele saw black figure sitting by the fire s-.--.
 Well, he said to her, when he entered, ''what can I do for you?"
 She turned toward him. Her face was not that of a beggar. Although trife pale, if was the face of pretty woman of thirty five. ...
 "I only wish to get warm, |" she said. stI was so cold that felt as if I should freeze, am sorry to disturb. you. I have friends ill the town, and am sure l can get employment of some kind there. I used to live there years and years ago. " By means of few questions he learned that she was widow without any reala- tions in the world. He was deeply touch ca Dy her story. ..s.. t-. ---. ...
 "What was your husbands name ?" ask ed Steele.
 Garter" she said George Carter"
 "Wait here moment" he said, and went up to his room. ..,...-... . .-.
 He went to his desk and took out some money. T so seldom give, , said he, ''and can afford to be liberal to this poor wo man. He took two ten-dollar bills and started back to the kitchen. .,i.... .. 3
 ''She said her name was Garter. Garter Garter? Where have heard-what Carter My Godl That was the name of her husband. She said she nsed to live here years ago. It must be she. It is Kate Drew! It must be P s s@ Steele shook like leaf. He seemed young again. He remembered. her once more as the sweet-faced girl, and the heart which had been slumbering so long seem- ed to spring into new life. He sat down on the stairs to compose himself, and then started again for the kitchen.
 William, " said Steele, when he enter ed, there is the key to my office. wish you would go there and bring me packet you will find on my desk"
 William fell in the trap without suspi- cion, and was of.
 Steele seated himself in dark corner